The Paro District Court today convicted 10 individuals in connection with a stabbing incident that took place in Paro in December last year. The defendants were charged with attempted voluntary manslaughter, battery, aiding and abetting battery, and assault.
Kelden Dorji was sentenced to eight years and 10 months’ imprisonment, while Dorji Ganzin received seven years for criminal attempt to voluntary manslaughter. Both were convicted of non-compoundable offences, meaning they cannot pay in leu of imprisonment.
The remaining eight were sentenced to prison terms ranging from one year and five months to two years and 10 months for compoundable offences such as battery, aiding and abetting battery and assault. Two of them were given the option to pay a fine of 11,250.
The case stemmed from a fight between two groups that reportedly began at a nightclub in Paro before escalating at another location last year. A 25-year-old man, who suffered serious knife injuries and underwent a 13-hour surgery, was also convicted of assault in connection with the incident.
In a separate case involving two of the convicts, the Thimphu District Court last month sentenced Kelden Dorji to two years and eight months’ in prison for aggravated battery and Dorji Ganzin received a ten-month prison time as an accomplice. Both were given the option to pay in lieu of imprisonment.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Sonam Pem
